Resealable Spout for a Packaging, and a Mandrel of a Rotating Mandrel Wheel of a Packaging Machine to Mount said Spout, and a Combination of a Spout and a Mandrel

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a reclosable pour-out element for packaging, particularly composite packaging for liquid foodstuffs, with a main body having a pour-out tube closed off by a screw cap and a flange with polyhedral surfaces for connection to the outer side of packaging. The invention further relates to a corresponding mandrel of a rotatable mandrel wheel in a packaging machine. To enable reliable connection of the reclosable pour-out element on a mandrel and subsequently easy removal from the mandrel and also to achieve good possibilities for cleaning, according to the invention the pour-out element has a circumferential retaining element inside the main body or formfitting operative connection to a mandrel in a packaging machine. A corresponding mandrel has a polyhedral shape in the receiving region of the pour-out element and has a circumferential retaining element for form-fitting operative connection to the pour-out element.

The invention relates initially to a resealable spout for a packaging, particularly for a composite packaging for liquid foodstuffs, with a base body that has a pouring tube that is closed by a screw cap and a flange with polyhedral surfaces to connect to a packaging sleeve, together with a mandrel on a rotating mandrel wheel of a packaging machine with a free end to mount a matching spout. In addition the invention includes a combination of a resealable spout for packaging and a mandrel of a rotating mandrel wheel of a packaging machine that is used during the production process of the packaging to make a positive-locking connection with the spout.

Where the following text refers simply to a resealable “spout”, then this is normally referring to a combined ‘opening and pouring element’ that is attached to a composite packaging for drinks in order to open them, to make pouring easier and to reseal them, to protect the product and the flavourings etc. that it contains from oxidation.

Resealable spouts for packaging, particularly composite packaging for liquid foodstuffs, are common in a large number of variants. Composite packaging refers to packaging that is made from a single packaging material consisting of multiple layered materials bound together, such as cardboard and plastic. Liquid foodstuffs might be, for example, drinks, soups, yoghurt or similar.

A suitable resealable spout is known from DE 10 2010 048415 A1 of the applicant. There, a spout according to the preamble of claim 1 is mounted on the correspondingly shaped upper end of a mandrel on a mandrel wheel of a sealing machine in order to connect it to a matching packaging sleeve, before the packaging sleeve is put onto the mandrel and the two elements are sealed together. In order to fit it onto the mandrel, the said spout has several projections that fit into corresponding grooves in the mandrel. To make sure there is a firm grip, the projections on the inside of the flange of the spout are fairly long and the corresponding grooves in the mandrel are relatively deep.

This is a disadvantage, as the relatively deep recesses of the mandrel can cause problems when the spouts sealed with the packaging sleeve are released by removal from the mandrel. But reducing the depth of the recesses proved not to provide a satisfactory solution, as the spout did not always have a firm enough grip on the mandrel. In addition, thorough cleaning of these hollows can only be ensured at a relatively great effort. Perfect cleaning is, however, absolutely essential here, as the projections of the spout come into contact with the inside of the packaging which is then filled with product, and any dirt, bacteria etc. located there would cause contamination of the contents of the packaging.

DE 10 2010 050 502 A1 from the applicant describes a process for the production of a composite packaging with a standard form of a spout using a mandrel wheel to seal it with the packaging sleeve. Therein, it is shown how the spout is mounted on the mandrel.

From JP 2009-039980 (A), it is also known to positively/frictionally connect spouts with a circular cross-section temporarily with a mandrel during the production of the packaging, with the round retaining element on the mandrel having a number of recesses arranged regularly on its circumference to reduce the force required when connecting or separating the spout with the mandrel.

In addition, it is known from WO 2010/106327 A1 to temporarily fix a spout on a mandrel before it is sealed together with the packaging. Therefore, the mandrel has a circumferential rib, which approximately corresponds to the internal diameter of the spout, that in turn interacts with a number of projections in the shape of a bar and arranged around the inside of the spout, such that axial pushing of the spout onto the mandrel creates a positive catch mechanism. This solution is extensive, as each spout has to be shaped with the necessary projections.

The present invention, therefore, addresses the problem of designing and developing the resealable spout as mentioned initially and described above, and a corresponding mandrel in such a way that a reliable connection of the resealable spout is achieved when sealed with the packaging sleeve on a mandrel of a mandrel wheel also when moving the mandrel to actually create the seal, and that subsequently an easy removal from the mandrel is possible. In addition, it is desirable to be able to clean the mandrel thoroughly.

A solution to this problem is using a spout as described in preamble of claim 1, characterised in that the spout has a circumferential retaining element on the inside of the base body to enable a positive-locking connection with a mandrel of a packaging machine.

The corresponding mandrel as described in preamble of claim 10 is polyhedral in mounting area of the spout, and has a circumferential retaining element to ensure a positive-locking connection with the spout.

The combination of a resealable spout for packaging as defined in the preamble of claim 15 and the corresponding mandrel of a mandrel wheel solves the problem in such a way that the spout and the mandrel have circumferential retaining elements that match each other to provide a positive-locking connection.

In this way, when producing the composite packaging from a spout and a packaging sleeve, the spout can be connected positively to the mandrel in a way that is adequately firm, to allow the mandrel to be moved into the fixing position in the packaging sleeve.

It has been shown surprisingly that also a circumferential retaining element enables a secure and defined temporary retaining and smooth removal of the mandrel. Due to the considerable extension of the area of contact between the spout and the mandrel, the retaining element only requires a minimal depth, which means that the effort of cleaning the mandrel is reduced as well.

According to a further teaching of the invention, the circumferential retaining element runs along the area of the lower edge of the inside of the flange. This is of benefit both for the manufacture of the spout in an injection mould and for the processing of the mandrel.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the circumferential retaining element of the flange is in the form of a projection. Alternatively, the circumferential retaining element might be in the form of a groove.

According to a further embodiment, the base body of the spout has a square base plate, with the flange shaped like a truncated pyramid. This allows a particularly even distribution of the forces between the packaging sleeve and the spout.

According to a further teaching of the invention, the base body is closed below the pouring tube by means of a supporting wall, and has a circumferential weakened area. This means that the opening can take place by means of an opening element (such as a pull ring or cutting element, both of which are known per se) without requiring much force.

Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible that the base body has an opening concentric to the pouring tube.

In any case according to a further teaching of the invention, it is of benefit if the base body has a barrier foil below the supporting wall or the opening. This means that a barrier to the entry of oxygen of the packaging is achieved also in the area of the spout.

According to further useful embodiments of the invention, the circumferential retaining element of the mandrel is also in the shape of a groove—or alternatively in the shape of a projection.

According to another teaching of the invention, the mandrel is shaped like a truncated pyramid in the mounting area of the spout. The exact geometric shape here preferably matches to the shape of the flange on the spouts to be processed.

If the spout includes a barrier foil below the supporting wall of the base body, then it is useful if the mandrel has a large enough recess to hold the barrier foil. This means that during the sealing process of the packaging sleeve, there is adequate protection for the barrier foil from thermal or mechanical damage.

With regard to a combination of a resealable spout and a corresponding mandrel in line with this invention, the circumferential retaining elements are preferably polygonal, but it is also possible that the circumferential retaining elements are circular. The exact form of the retaining elements here also depends on the geometrical shape of the spouts to be processed.

The invention is explained in more details below based on drawings showing just one preferred embodiment. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 shows a resealable spout according to the invention in a perspective view from above,

FIG. 2 shows the resealable spout from FIG. 1 in a perspective view from below,

FIG. 3 shows the upper part of a mandrel of a rotating mandrel wheel to mount the resealable spout, in perspective view from above,

FIG. 4 shows the resealable spout from FIG. 1 in a vertical cross-section (without a cutting element) and

FIG. 5 shows the mandrel from FIG. 3 in a vertical cross-section.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a spout according to the invention in a perspective view seen diagonally from above. In the shown and in this respect preferred embodiment, the spout has a base body 1 and a screw cap 2. The screw cap 2 sits on a pouring tube 3 (only visible in FIGS. 2 and 4). The base body 1 has a circumferential flange 4 shaped like a truncated pyramid. The shape of the flange 4 is preferably adapted to suit the shape and particularly the angle of inclination of the gabled area of the packaging sleeve to be sealed to the spout.

The bent surfaces of the flange 4 have ribs 5 that on the one hand serve to reinforce the flange and on the other hand are intended to provide a better connection to the gabled surfaces of the packaging sleeve during the sealing with the flange 4. In each corner, there is a wing-shaped piece 6 attached to the flange 4. These attachments 6 also help to improve the connection between the gabled area of the packaging sleeve and flange 4 of the spout.

According to the spout shown in FIG. 1, an original seal 7 with a (not further described) material link designed as predetermined breaking-point connects the base body 1 with the screw cap 2. When first opened, the material link is destroyed, so that a consumer can easily detect whether a packaging with this type of spout has been opened already.

FIG. 2 shows a spout according to the invention in a perspective view seen diagonally from below. It can be seen that the area of the lower edge of the inside of the flange 4 is surrounded by a retaining element 8. This serves to ensure a positive-locking connection during the production of the packaging with the free end of a mandrel on a mandrel wheel. It can also be seen that the lower side of the pouring tube 3 is closed by a supporting wall 9 that forms one piece with the base body 1.

In the shown and preferred embodiment, the base body 1 also has a weakened area 10 surrounding the pouring tube 3 concentrically that makes the pressing in and cutting out of a (not visible) cutting element in the inside of the pouring tube 3 substantially easier by making the material weaker at this point. The exact form of the weakened area 10 can be seen particularly clearly in the vertical cross-section of the spout in FIG. 4.

A barrier foil 11 below the base body 1 in what will be the opening area provides adequate shelf-life and flavour protection for the filled product.

In FIGS. 3 and 5, the upper part of a mandrel 12 is shown that matches the previously described spout. The circumferential groove 13 can clearly be seen as a complement to the circumferential projection 8 of the spout. As explained above, although not shown, the invention's teaching also includes a mandrel where the retaining element is shaped as a circumferential projection that matches a spout that has a circumferential retaining element in the form of a groove.

Finally, it can also be seen from FIGS. 3 and 5 that the flattened upper side of the mandrel 12 includes a recess 14 to hold the barrier foil 11 that protects it from damage during the sealing process. 

1.-17. (canceled)
 18. A resealable spout for a packaging, particularly for a composite packaging for liquid foodstuffs, comprising a base body that has a pouring tube that is closed by a screw cap and a flange with polyhedral surfaces to connect to a packaging sleeve, wherein the spout has a circumferential retaining element on the inside of the base body to enable a positive-locking connection with a mandrel of a packaging machine and wherein the circumferential retaining element runs along the area of the lower edge of the inside of the flange.
 19. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the circumferential retaining element of the flange is in the form of a projection.
 20. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the circumferential retaining element is in the form of a groove.
 21. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the base body has a square base plate.
 22. The resealable spout according to claim 21, wherein the flange of the base body is shaped like a truncated pyramid.
 23. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the base body is closed below the pouring tube by means of a supporting wall, and has a circumferential weakened area.
 24. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the base body has an opening concentric to the pouring tube.
 25. The resealable spout according to claim 22, wherein the flange has a barrier foil below the supporting wall, or the opening.
 26. A mandrel on a rotating mandrel wheel of a packing machine with a free end to mount a corresponding resealable spout, wherein the mandrel is polyhedral in mounting area of the spout, and has a circumferential retaining element to ensure a positive-locking connection with the spout.
 27. The mandrel according to claim 26, wherein the circumferential retaining element is in the form of a groove.
 28. The mandrel according to claim 26, wherein the circumferential retaining element is in the form of a projection.
 29. The mandrel according to claim 26, wherein the mandrel is shaped like a truncated pyramid in the mounting area of the spout.
 30. The mandrel according to claim 26, wherein the upper side of the mandrel has a recess to hold the barrier foil.
 31. A combination of a resealable spout for packaging and a mandrel of a rotating mandrel wheel of a packaging machine that is used during the production process of the packaging to make a positive-locking connection with the spout, wherein the spout and the mandrel have circumferential retaining elements that match each other to provide a positive-locking connection.
 32. The combination according to claim 31, wherein the circumferential retaining elements are polygonal.
 33. The combination according to claim 31, wherein the circumferential retaining elements are circular.
 34. The resealable spout according to claim 23, wherein the flange has a barrier foil below the supporting wall, or the opening.
 35. The resealable spout according to claim 24, wherein the flange has a barrier foil below the supporting wall, or the opening. 